Only three-letter element

Editorially verified for the Aug 26, 2026

1 Across

Scroll down for rest of crossword answers

A sample of silvery tin metal

Clue explained

TIN is the only chemical element whose English name has three letters. The answer is the element’s standard name, not its chemical symbol.

Clue type:
Definition

NYT Mini Crossword

This clue's Wednesday, August 26, 2026 appearance

Tap a square to reveal a letter.

Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.

Across

  1. 1Only three-letter element
  2. 4Hole food
  3. 6Section at the end of a song
  4. 7Emblem topping a coat of arms
  5. 8Only three-letter zodiac sign

Down

  1. 1Visit, as a college
  2. 2Something gathered by a spy
  3. 3Sip slowly
  4. 4Only three-letter Disney dwarf
  5. 5Big name in high-end toilets

The answer to “Only three-letter element” in the New York Times Mini crossword is TIN — a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times Mini crossword on August 26, 2026 at 1-Across. Below you'll find why that fill fits, every other answer we've recorded for this clue, and links into the puzzle it came from.

“Only three-letter element” answer

TIN (3 letters)

Use the reveal tiles above to uncover the solution one letter at a time if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Prefer the full answer straight away? It's TIN.

What does TIN mean?

Reading the plain dictionary sense of TIN is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.

(noun)

  • a silvery-white metal, the chemical element of atomic number 50
  • an airtight container made of tinplate or aluminium

When else has “Only three-letter element” appeared?

New York Times Mini reuses clues across dates, sometimes with a different answer depending on the grid. Here's where this exact clue has shown up, and what the answer was each time — handy when you're checking whether today's fill is the only one.

August 26, 2026 (most recent) → TIN. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Only three-letter element”?

The answer is TIN, a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times Mini crossword on August 26, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Only three-letter element”?

3 letters: TIN.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the New York Times Mini crossword on August 26, 2026, at 1-Across.

Can “Only three-letter element” have a different answer?

Yes — New York Times Mini sometimes reuses a clue with a different solution to fit the grid. The answers we've recorded for each date it appeared are listed above when available.

Where can I find the rest of today's NYT Mini answers?

Every clue and answer from that day's puzzle is linked above, and the full grid is on the NYT Mini answers page.

New York Times Mini Crossword is published by The New York Times; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.

Crossword Clues

Looking up a clue? Jump into today's answers and clue help from top puzzles.